OS price difference

Hi could someone explain why the big price difference in the 2 OS at the top of this page. Both XP pro. I realise one is for OEM and I understand what oem stands for but not the implications for the average buyer, ie whether there are restrictions on the oem software, or can anyone buy it and use it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss...alias=aps&field-keywords=xp pro&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

 

I have the OEM version of XP PRO.

The catch to buying it "legally" is you must also purchase
something significant to go with it, (A hard drive which
was one of the items I bought, a CPU, a Motherboard,
Etc, or an entire new machine,)

The only other thing I noticed was it doesn't come with
the big book and fancy packaging, also no free tech support,
(Big deal, I've never had to call them anyway,)

So you can save money going this route.

It works for me!

 

Here you go, click on the OEM product link on the site page you mentioned
to read more.

"Please note: This product is intended for system builders and small OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) who manufacture computer systems and preinstall Microsoft OEM system builder software onto those systems. Its use is subject to the OEM System Builder License Agreement that is affixed to the side of all OEM system builder software packs. The system builder who installs the individual software license and distributes hardware units must provide end-user support on terms at least as favourable as the terms under which the system builder provides end-user support for any fully assembled computer system. The system builder must place its support phone number in a noticeable location in the fully assembled computer system help files or end-user documentation. The full documentation on Microsoft OEM System Builder licence is at http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/Public/sblicense/English_SB_License.pd"

 

Thanx dude, I wasn't sure if there was some sort of weird catch where you had to be registerd somewhere as a system builder, which didn't really make sense, but then neither does the price difference, why would anyone in their right mind buy the higher priced one over the lower. There seems to be no requirement to purchase anything along with it there unless I've missed something.

 

I always buy the system builders OEM version of windows. The only real difference is that you don't get support from MS for the OEM version where as you do with the full higher priced version. Besides that they are Identical.

 

I bought an OEM copy of XP Pro for one of my machines. I just didn't see the need to spend the extra $$ for the retail version.

However, I was always led to believe that one of the *major* differences between OEM and retail was that the OEM license stays with the machine on which the OS is originally installed. IOW, if you buy and install the OEM version on a specific PC and that PC is later lost, stolen, destroyed, or otherwise becomes inoperable, you're done; the OEM license was good for that PC only and cannot be transferred to another PC. The retail license, OTOH, can be transferred to another PC. That's my understanding, at least.

 

The hardware purchase requirement was how it went
down for me back in May 2003. The place I bought it
from had a list of qualifying products to get the OEM price.

I don't recall the exact wording of the legal nonsense
at that time but it was all to keep Microsoft happy.

I bought another hard drive, A CPU, More RAM, and
a whole bunch of other stuff so I was well covered
in that regard.

I think I only paid $85.00 U.S. for the OEM version
back then so it was well worth it.

And I'm still running the original installation.
The biggest thing I've done to it is install SP2.

I've done the "non destructive rebuild" a few times though.
Other than that just the critical updates.